Patty-making machine



5 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 20, 1942. JI ELESH ET AL PATTY MAKING MACHINE Filed March 2. 1939 Oct. 20, 1942. J. ELEsH ETAL 2,299,314

PATTY MAKING MACHINE Filed March 2. 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ,7559/172 ZZ'Ze S72, 7L-JZ@ 5F /opsa ATTORNEY.

Oct. 20, 1942. J. ELEsH ETAL PATTY MAKING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 XMNI 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 20, 1942. `.1. ELL-:SH ETAL PATTY MAKING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1939 Oct. 20, 1942.

J. ELEsl-l4 ETAL PATTY MAKING MACHINE 5 S'nees-Sheet 5 Filed March 2, 1959 Patented Oct. 20, 1942 PATTY-MAKING MACHINE Joseph Elesh and Julius F. Kopsa, Chicago, Ill.,

and Herbert W. Anderson, Chesterton, Ind., assignors to Joseph Elesh, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 2, i939, serial No. 259,402

22 Claims.

This invention relates to patty making machines and its principal object is to provide an automatically operating machine for dividing a batch of ground or chopped meat or other material into individual lumps, flattening the lumps into patties and covering the patties on both sides with pieces of waxed or other suitable paper so as to preserve them in a clean, wholesome and sanitary condition.

Another object is to provide a machine for dividing a batch f material into individual lumps, depositing the lumps upon a paper strip, applying a top paper strip to the lumps, feeding the two'paper strips with the lumps therebetween to the discharge end of the machine, flattening the lumps into patties and nally severing the paper strips between adjacent patties whereby each individual patty is covered on both sides with paper pieces.

Another object is to provide patty materia] feeding and dividing mechanism, whereby a batch of material is divided into substantially spherical lumps.

Another object is to atten the lumps between two paper strips, and another object is to sever the two paper strips between the spaced, flattened patties whereby the protected patties may be discharged upon a conveyor or stacked, one upon the other, at the discharge end of the machine.

Another object is to provide actuating means for the mechanisms which feed and divide the material into measured lumps, feed the paper strips, flatten the lumps into patties and sever the paper strips into individual pieces, leaving the patties covered on both sides with the pieces of paper.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of this specification and, with all of said objects and advantages in view, this invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

The invention is clearly i1lustrated in the drawings accompanying this specication in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a patty making machine embodying a simple form of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine looking in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 but showing the material feeding mechanism in a partly raised position.

Fig. 4 is a plan 'of the machine with the parts illustrated in the position shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4a is a 4detail view of a fragment of an upright frame member.

Fig. 5 is a detail plan of the paper strip feed mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a detail cross-section taken on the line '6--6 0f Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig'. 1.

Fig. 9 is a detail view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section taken on the line 9 -9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a detail, vertical cross-section taken on the linel Ill-I [l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section taken on the line l l-l l of Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line I2-l2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a fragmental plan of the elevator guide and beam, showing a certain dog or detent.

taken on the Fig. 14 is a detail cross-section taken on the line lll- I4 of Fig. 1 illustrating one of the paper strip grippers but showing the same in its open position.

Fig. 15 is a detail end view of the same mechanism showing the gripping jaws in their closed position.

Fig. 16 is a fragmental perspective view of one of the paper strip grippers.

Fig. 17 is an end elevation partly in section, of a modi'ed form of patty feeding and dividing mechanism.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail section of the knife means shown in Fig. 17.

Referring to said drawings, which are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended as working drawings thereof, the reference character 20 designates the patty material feeding and dividing mechanism; 22 designates the paper strip feed mechanism; 23 designates the flattening or patting mechanism; 24 the severing mechanism, and 25 the elevator or conveyor upon which the covered patties are delivered.

The reference character 26 designates a roll of paper strip from which the paper strip 26a is fed along the top of the table 2| from end to end and 21 designates a roll of paper strip from which the paper strip 2lEL is fed over the paper strip 2Ba from a. point intermediate the material feeding and dividing mechanism'Zll and the elevator mechanism 25.

Briefly, the material is divided into lumps of measured quantity and deposited on the paper strip 26 at denitely spaced intervals. The paper strip grippers 22 advance both the bottom and top paper strips directly after a lump has been deposited on the bottom paper strip, bringing a covered patty over the hereafter described elevator platform, releases the paper strips and returns to its original position for again feeding the paper strips forward. Fig. 1 shows the parts in a position occupied after a lump has beendivided from the material and depositedon the lower paper strip and justprior to the time the paper strip grippers feed the paper strips forward with the flattening means raised and idle and the movable blade of the severing mechanism on its upstroke.

The table 2| is suitably supported and is here shown as mounted on upright frame members 30, 3|, that extend up and are fastened to a horizontal frame member 32 located below the table.

The material feeding mechanism Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10, brackets 33, 34 are fastened to the table 2| and project forwards therefrom and carry the material feeding and dividing mechanism. The front ends of these brackets are connected by a supporting bar 35 upon which are mounted two bearing brackets 36, 31, in which is journaled the main drive shaft 38 of the machine which is driven from any suitable source of power. For this purpose a belt pulley 39 fast upon the drive shaft may be belted to an electric motor (not shown).

Mounted above the table 2| at its receiving end is a tank or container 40 for containing the patty material.' The tank and its associated mechanism are mounted for movement toward and away from the table, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. The tank and associated mechanism are here shown as carried by a supporting plate 4I mounted on the drive shaft for swinging movement as by ears 42, 43. A lever arm 44 secured to and projecting down from the plate 4| and extending back underneath the table rides on a substantially heart shaped cam 45, with a roller 46, and its free end is raised and lowered thereby, once during each cycle of operation of the machine, thereby raising and lowering the material feeding and dividing mechanism during the cycle of operation. Figs. 1 and 2 show the material feeding and dividing mechanism in its raised position, and Fig. 3 shows said mechanism in an intermediate position. A cam shaft 41 `iournaled in bearings on the upright frame members 30, 3|, drives the cam 45 and other cams as will be hereinafter explained.

Rotatively mounted in a bearing block 48,'

which is rigidly fastened to the supporting plate Y 4|, is a worm gear wheel 49 which meshes with a worm 50, mounted on ya shaft 5|, journaled in bearing lugs 52 and having a spiral gear Wheel 53 on its forward end that meshes with a spiral pinion 54 fast on the main drive shaft 38. The direction of rotation of the main drive shaft is indicated by the adjacent arrows and the `worm gear wheel 49 is rotated thereby in the direction of the adjacent arrows. Conveniently, the worm gear wheel 49 is formed with a flanged hub 55 which is rotatively mounted in the bearing block 48. The tank 40 is removably secured to the worm gear wheel 49 as by threadedly connecting it therewith (see Fig. 3), and rotates with the worm gear wheel. The worm gear wheel has a tapered bore in which is removably secured a tapered bushing 56 which forms the discharge outlei-l from the tank. A feed screw or worm 58 is stationarily held in the tank and cooperates therewith to feed downwardly the material contained in the tank and discharge it from the discharge outlet in the bushing when the openings in the hereinafter described knives are uncovered. Ribs 59 on theinner face Of the tank cooperate with the feed screw or worm 58 to feed the material. The usual knife 60 is` provided at the lower end of the feed screw or worm 58.

The feed screw or worm is stationarily mounted in the tank as by a standard or post 6| fastened to the supporting plate 4|, and an arm 62 fastened to the feed screw or worm and removably secured to the top of the standard or post as by a thumb screw 63. A cover 64 is removably held upon the open top of the tank. Rotation of the tank in the direction of the arrows carries the contents along the feed screw or worm and thereby causes the patty material to be fed downwards to the discharge outlet.

The dividing mechanism Slidably guided in ways in the bearing block 48 are two reciprocating knives 65, 66, eachv formed with an opening 61,68, having sharpened cutting edges. When the discharge opening is in register with the openings in the knives, as seen in Fig. 3, the patty material discharges therethrough and when out of register, the knives close the discharge outlet and permit the feeding mechanism to compress the patty material somewhat.

Means are provided for reciprocating said knives in timed relation to the up and down movement of the tank and said means are here shown as comprising rack bars 69, 10, that are rigidly connected to the knives respectively, and mesh with the opposite sides of an oscillating pinion 1| rotatably mounted on the main drive shaft 38. Conveniently, a coiled tension spring 12 connects the free ends of the rack bars and aids in holding them in mesh with the pinion. Rotation 'of the pinionin the direction of the arrow thereon in Fig. 3 acts to move the knives in the direction of the adjacent arrows and thereby close the discharge outlet from the tank, which position is shown in Fig. 2, and rotation of the pinion in the opposite direction moves the knives with their openings to the open position seen in Fig. 3. The timing of the parts is such that the knives begin to open the discharge outlet as the tank is closely approaching the table so that the discharging patty material is pressed down upon the bottom paper strip, thereby causing the lump to stick thereto as it is conveyed along the table. As the knife openings approach their widest place, the diameter of the lump increases to its greatest extent, after which the knives are moved toward their closed position, thereby producing a lump somewhat spherical in shape. The means shown for reciprocating the knives will now be described:

Mounted on one side of the pinion 1I is a segmental rack 13 which meshes with an obliquely extending rack bar 14, slidably guided in guide members 15 fastened to the under side of the table 2| (see Fig. 2). The lower end of the rack bar 14 rides with a roller 16 on a cam 11 mounted on the cam shaft 41. A coiled tension spring 18 connecting the Irack bar with the guide members 15 acts to move the rack bar 14 in a direction oppositeo that it is moved by the cam 11. 'Ihe cam 11 has a concentric part 19 (see Fig. 2), an eccentric part which runs to a peak 8|, an

centric part 82, the spring 18 moves the rackbar toward the Vaxis of the cam, thereby gradually closing the openings in the knives and when the rack bar reaches the 'extreme end of the eccentric part 82, the spring suddenly shifts the rack bar to the concentric part 19, thereby instantly closing the remainder of the partly open discharge opening and cutting away the measured patty lump from the material in the tank while the feeding and dividing means is rising to the higher position above the table. During all of the time that the patty lumpv is being formed and severed from the remainder of the material, the paper strip remains stationary.

Desirably, the cam 11 comprises two substantially similar sections 11B, 11b, placed side by side and fastened together by a screw 11 threaded in one section and extending through an arcuate slot in the other section. By angularly adjusting the two sections, the extent of the eccentric part 82 may be lengthened or shortened, thereby regulating the size of the lumps.

The cam shaft drive mechanism Fast on the drive shaft 38 is a worm 83 which meshes with a worm gear 84 fast on a shaft 85 (see Fig. 3) journaled in bearing lugs 86 carried by the bracket 34 and having aworm 81 on its end which meshes with a worm gear wheel 88 fast on the cam shaft.

` The paper strip feed mechanism Slidably mounted on both sides of the table 2| are reciprocating paper strip grippers 89 (see Figs. 1, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 and 16), each comprising a slide 90 and a sleeve 9| rotatively mounted on the slide. The slides are formed with ribs 92 that slide in grooves 93 formed on the edges of the table. A connecting frame 94 is secured to the slides adjacent their rear ends and provides a rigid connection between the paper strip grippers. At their forward ends the slide and sleeve are formed with jaws 95, 96, that grip the paper strips when the upperv jaws are swung down. The

lower jaws 99 slide in widened parts of the grooves 93 (see Fig. 4) and the upper faces of the lower jaws and ribs 92 are ush with the upper face of the table so that the paper stripV feeding stroke.

Suitable means are provided for reciprocating Vthe paper strip grippers in timed relation to the other-movingparts of the mechanisms, and in the embodiment of the invention shown, said means comprise a cylindrical hollow cam 91 fast on the cam shaft 41 and a roller 98 journaled upon the under side of the gripper frame 94 and riding on the cam edge of the cam 91. The cam part 99 of the cam runs from a transverse or neutral part |00 to a transverse or neutral part |0| and from the other end of the part |0| a cam part |02 runs back to the transverse part |00. The distance between the parts |00, |0| determines the length of stroke o f the paper strip grippers. A coiled tension spring |13, connected at one end to the gripper frame 94 and at its other end to some stationary point on the frame of thel machine, serves to retract the paper strip grippers and to press the roller 98 against the edges of the cam 91.

While the roller 98 rides on the transverse part |00 of the cam 91, the paper strip grippers are held in their retracted position with the jaws closed; when the roller rides on the part 99 of the cam, the cam pushes the paper strip grippers forward and feeds the paper strips forward;

when the roller rides on the transverse part |0| of the cam, the paper strip grippers remain stationary and the jaws are opened (during which time the cutting or severing mechanism 24 operates to sever the two paper strips), and when the roller runs along the part |02 of the cam the paper strip grippers are retracted with the jaws open and are fully retracted when the roller rides on the transverse part |00 of the cam. During the return stroke of the grippers and while stationary at their retracted position, the material feeding and dividing mechanism acts to feed and deposit a patty lump on the bottom paper strip.

The upper jaw actuating sleeves 9| are actuated to close the jaws to thereby grip the paper strips during the interval that the paper strip grippers. remain stationary at the end of their retracted stroke, and are actuated to release the paper strips after they have reached the ends of their feeding stroke and while they remain stationary. The mechanism for accomplishing this result will now be described:

Rigidly 'secured to each sleeve 9| at its rear end are a block 9|a and an arm |03, one arm riding on the cam 91 and the other arm resting on the first mentioned arm. Strong compression springs |04 are interposed between the gripper frame 94 and brackets |05 rigid with the arms andA said springs act to force said arms downward and as a consequence swing the upper jaws 95 in gripping engagement with the paper strips, the downward movement of the arms |03 being transmitted through the sleeves 9| to the upper jaws. In the position of the arms shown in Figs.

1 and 7, they are out of contact with the cam 91, with the upper jaws held down in gripping engagement with the paper strips. On the circumference of the cylindrical body of the cam 91 is a cam |91, here shown in the form of a rib, which parallels the cam edge |02 and terminates in end parts |08, |09, which extend circumferentially along the cylindrical body and taper to the cylindrical face thereof.

At the position shown in Figs. 1 and '7, the arms |03 have run off the end |08 of the cam |01 and the jaws are closed gripping the paper strips. As the cam rotates and the paper strip grippers are moved forward through their feeding stroke, the arms |03 are free of the cylindrical face of the cam body, but when the cam 91 has moved the paper strip grippers to the end of their feeding stroke and the roller 98 is commencing to ride on the transverse part |0| of the cam 91, the end of one of the arms |03 encounters and rides up on the tapered edge |09 of the cam |01, and together with the other arm is swung upward against the action of the springs |04, thereby partially rotating the sleeves 9| and raising the upper jaws 95, thereby freeing the "concentric part |36 (see Fig.

paper strips. While the paper strip grippers are being retracted, the arms |03 which have been swung upward by the cam |01, remain in their lifted position with the upper `laws raised, during the tim'e that the arms ride on the high part of the cam |01 and when the roller 98 reaches the transverse part of the cam 91, the arms ride ofl the cam |01 and are swung down by the springs |04, thereby closing down the upper jaws. The paper strips vare thereupon again gripped by the jaws and during the next feeding stroke of the paper strip grippers, the strips are again fed foward as before.

The patty flattening mechanism Referring to Figs. 1, 4, 5, 7 and. 11, a flattener supporting frame, consisting of upper and lower cross members I0, I, connected by upright rods I I2, slidably guided in apertured lugs |3, formed upon the upright frame member 30, has a preliminary lump fiattening plate ||4 secured (to the attener supporting frame byrarms ||5 fastened to or'made as a part of the upper cross bar ||0. Adjustably secured to the cross bar ||0, as by an adjustment Ascrew |.|6, is a final flattening plate ||1 which is set somewhat lower than the preliminary flattening plate ||4. The attener supporting frame reciprocates vertically in the lugs I3 and is yieldably held in its uppermost position by coiled tension springs ||8, the ends of which are secured respectively to the upper lugs ||3 and to the lower cross bar The flattener supporting frame, and therewith the flattening plates I4, ||1, are depressed by a cam ||6 fast on the cam shaft and a roller |20V mounted on the lower-cross bar I I.

'Ihe camy ||9 has a concentric part |2| (see Fig. 7) upon which the roller |20 rides while the flattener supporting frame is held raised by the springs I I8; an eccentric part |22 which depresses the roller |20, and therewith the attener supporting frame, when the roller rides on this part of the cam; a concentric part |23 which holds the roller, and therewith the frame Iin its down or fiattening position, which concentric part extends to the point |24 from which a part |25 runs to the concentric part |2I and permits the spring I I8 to raise the flattener supporting frame while the roller runs on said part |25. The roller |20 rides on the concentric part I2I while the paper strips are being fed forward and on the concentric part |23 while the paper strips are stationary.

The paper strip severing mechanism Referring to Figs. 1, 4, 8, 11, 13 and 14, a knife carrying frame, composed of upper and lower cross bars |26, |21, connected by upright, reciprocating rods |28, slidably guided in lugs |29 formed on the upright frame member 30, is provided which is yieldably held in its raised position by compression springs |30. To the upper cross bar |26 is ,bolted or otherwise secured a movable knife blade |3| which cooperates with a stationary knife blade |32 bolted or otherwise fastened to a frame member |33 at the front or discharge end of the table 2|. Means are provided for depressing the knife carrying frame and, as shown, said means comprises a cam |34 fast on the cam shaft 41 and a roller |35 mounted on the knife carrying frame. This .cam has a 8) and a lobe |31. In the position of the parts seen in Figsfl and 8, the curved side of the lobe |31 has -completely depressed the knife carrying frame and its knife, the paper strips have been severed and the roller The elevator mechanism carries the elevator platform |40, upon which the covered patties are fed by the paper strip grippers. On the ends of the beam are upright guide bars |4| that run in ways provided in the guide rails. Cables |42 secured to the guide bars |4| run over sheaves |43 mounted on the guide rails, then down and around sheaves- |44, one cable extending across from its sheave |44 to Aa sheave |45 (see Fig. l2), both cables being connected to one end` of a coiled tension spring |46, the other end of which is connected to the frame member 32. The tension of the spring serves to raise the elevator platform and to counteract the downward pressure thereon by the covered patties. Dogs or detents |41, pivoted on lugs |48 projecting from the beam |39, engage the guide rails and prevent the spring |46 from raising the elevator platform except when the dogs are manually swung back from the guide rails.

Mounted on the upper cross bar |26 of the knife carrying frame, as by an arm |419, is a pusher plate |50 which lies above the elevator platform, and when the knife carrying frame is raised to its limit, occupies a position far enough abovethe plane'of the table 2| to permit the covered patties to be fed upon those on the elevator platform. When the knife carrying frame is depressed to sever the paper strips, the pusher plate |50 is carried down thereby, and pushes the accumulated patties, and therewith the elevator platform, downward `so as to leave the top paper piece on the uppermost patty at or just below the level of the table, whereby the next following covered patty may be slid over the uppermost one `on. the elevator platform. When thus depressed, the dogs or detents impinge against the guide rails and prevent the spring from raising the platform.

The paper strips The paper strip rolls 26, 21 are carried by rollers rotatively mounted on uprights I5|, |52, secured to the horizontal frame member 32 and the arms ||5 respectively. As has been explained, the strip 2lia from the lower roll 26 is led over the edge of the table 2| at its receiving end, then along the length of the table to the jaws of the paper strip grippers and inserted therebetween. The strip 21a from the upper roll is fed around the edge of the flattening plate ||4 to the jaws and inserted therebetween.

If desired, an electric switch |53 located at the bottom of the elevator mechanism may be employed to open the circuit for the motor `that drives the machine, the switch lever of the switch being located in position to be actuated by the elevator platform when it reachces the bottom'of its travel.

Operation the mechanism has been described in connection `of. Briefly, with the tank filled with the patty material and the paper strips in place, the main drive shaft 38 is driven in the direction of the arrow on the belt pulley 39. When in operation, and with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, there are four patty lumps spaced along the bottom paper strip at the places indicated by the characters a, b, c, d, in Fig. 1, one having just been deposited thereon from the patty material4 feeding and dividing mechanism and the two lumps at c, d, being located between the top and bottom paper strips. v

At this point in a cycle of operation, the material feeding and dividing mechanism occupies its raised position (see Fig. 2) and remains in such position so long as the roller 46 of the lever arm Mrides on the concentric high part of the cam 45. The paper strips have been gripped by the jaws of the paper strip grippers, and the cam 91 pushes said grippers through their feeding stroke to the place shown in Fig. 4, thereby moving the patty, formerly located at d, over the elevator platform and advancing the patties,lformerly located at a, b, c, to the positions b, c, d. When the paper strip grippers reach the end of their feeding stroke, the ca m |01 lifts the arms |03,

which raise the upper jaws of the paper strip grippers and release the paper strips, after which the cam 91 permits the spring |13 to retract the paper strip grippers with the jaws open. The material feeding and dividing mechanism is noW being lowered to the table and, after the paper strip grippers have reached their fully retracted position, the cam |36 lowers the knife carrying frame and therewith the upper knife, and severs the paper strips between the patty now resting on the elevator platform and the one located at the point d, and immediately thereafter the pusher plate |50 presses down on the covered patty which has just been delivered to the elevator platform and depresses the latter a sufiicient distance to permit the next succeeding patty` to be slid upon the uppermost one of the stack. While the paper strip grippers are being retracted, the cam ||9 lowers the fiattener supporting frame, and therewith the attening plates I4, H1, which hatten the lumps located at the places c, d, the plate i4 partially flattening the lump thereunder and the plate ||1 completing the attening operation on the patty located thereunder. The material feeding and dividing mechanism has been lowered before the paper strip grippers start their feeding stroke, the knives 65, 66 have been moved to uncover the discharge opening from the tank, the latter is being lifted and the knives are being moved to close said discharge opening, and the lump is severed from the remainder before the paper strip grippers begintheir feeding stroke.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 17, the tank ||0a and parts associated therewith are raised and lowered vertically by a cam 45a mounted on the cam shaft 41a. The tank isrotatively mounted in a bearing block 488, as by the hub of a worm gear wheel 49a, and the block is carried by vertically reciprocating rods, two

of which are seen a't 4|, guided in lugson the table 2|a and frame member 32a. A cross bar 44 is secured to the two rods 4|a by bolts or screws and carries a roller which rides on the cam The tank is provided with a tapering discharge end 58a which terminates in a discharge opening through which the patty material is deposited upon a paper strip carried by the table;

spherical, concavo-convex knives a, 86B, that also serve to close the discharge opening, are provided which have openings that are brought into and out of register with the discharge opening. The knives nest one within the other and are rotatively mounted in bearings with their axis of rotation disposed at an oblique angle to the axis of the tank, whereby rotation of the knives carries the openings thereof into and out of register with the discharge opening of the tank once during each cycle of operation. The openings in the knives are eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the knives and the latter rotate in opposite directions so that as the openings in the knives begin to register with each other, they gradually uncover the discharge opening and gradually recover it, whereby a somewhat spherical shaped patty lump is formed. The timing is such that the discharge opening is uncovered ,as it approaches the table so that the lump is pressed down on the paper strip and the discharge opening is closed during the upstroke of thetank, to sever the measured lump from the remainder of the material in the tank before the tank reaches the upper limit of its stroke.

The knives are rotatively mounted between the bearing block |38a and a bearing cap 88h removably secured to the block d8a. For rotating the knives in opposite directions, beveled gear teeth 69B, 10a, are provided around their edge portions, which gear teeth mesh with a beveled pinion 1|*1 mounted on a shaft 1lb. The shaft 1| b is driven by suitable gearing, here shown as comprising a beveled gear wheel |15 on the shaft 1lb, a gear wheel |16 on a shaft |11 which is journaled in a bearing bracket 1|c carried by and moving up and down with the tank supporting rods dla. The lower end of the shaft |11 is journaled in a stationary bearing bracket |18 and has a spiral gear wheel |19 mounted thereon for rotation therewith, but having a sliding connection therel with to permit the shaft |11 to move up and down with the bracket 1|.

The shaft |11 may be driven from a shaft |80 by the spiral gear wheel |19 and a spiral gear Wheel |81 fast on the shaft |80'. Conveniently, the shaft |80 drives the cam shaft 41el through a worm |82 on the shaft |80 and a worm gear wheel |83 on the cam shaft. The shaft |80 may be driven from the main drive shaft |84 through a worm |85 thereon, a worm gear whee1 |86 having a sliding connection on a shaft |81 journaled in the bracket |18, a worm |88 also having a sliding connection on said shaft |81 and a worm gear wheel |89 on the shaft |80.

The tank cooperates with a worm feed screw as in the other form above described, and receives its rotation from a shaft 5| a through the worm gear wheel |19a on the tank and a worm pinion 50a on the shaft 5|a. The shaft 5|a may be driven from suitable gearing here shown as comprising a shaft |90 and pinions on the shafts 5|, |90. The shaft |90 is driven from a main drive shaft |84 through variable speed gearing |9| which permits the patty material feeding to be driven'faster or slower than a standard speed to thereby discharge more or less patty material and thus increase or decrease the size of the lumps. For the same purpose, several sets of knives may accompany the machine in which the openings are larger or smaller, thus controlling the size of the patty lumps.

-dividing mechanism can nism, a table upon which a;

,From the above description it is apparent the patty material is handled in a very sanitary i manner throughout and that each patty is covbottom with the paper strips ered onits top and whichare severed after the flattening operations have taken place.l The material feeding and be readily taken apart for cleaning purposes. L

Although the' machine has been designed for making meat patties, usually designated as Hamburgers, its use is not limited thereto, as it may be used for making fiat or patty-like foods or other articles from a batch of material.

WeA claim as new andfdesire tosecure by Letters Patent:

1. In a patty making machine, the combination of patty material feeding and dividing mechabottom paper strip travels, and conveys patties, deposited thereon from said patty materia1 feeding and dividing mechanism, underneath a top paper strip, paper strip feed mechanism, andactuating mechanism for actuating said patty material feeding and dividing mechanism and said paper strip feed mechanism in timed relation.

2. In a patty making machine, the combination of patty material feeding and dividing mechanism, a table, paper strip feed mechanism for feeding a paper strip under said material feeding and dividing mechanism and along said table, patty flattening mechanism, paper strip severing mechanism and actuating mechanism for actuating said material feeding, dividing, paper strip feed mechanisms and the flattening and severing mechanisms in timed relation to each other.

3. In a patty making machine, the combination of patty material feeding and dividing. mechanism, a table upon which ya bottom paper strip travels under the dividing mechanism and under a top paper strip, paper strip feed mechanism for simultaneously feeding said top and bottom paper strips with patty lumps therebetween, lump attening mechanism operating to flatten lumps between the top and bottom paper strips, paper strip severing mechanism, and actuating mechanism for actuating the aforesaid mechanisms in timed relation to each other.

4. In a patty making machine, the combination of a table having receiving and discharge ends, patty material feeding and dividing mechanism operating to deliver measured patty lumps at regularly spaced intervals upon a bottom paper strip .lying on said table, means to deliver a top paper strip over patty lumps carried upon the bottom paper strip, paper strip feed mechanism for advancing said top and bottom paper strips in a step by Step manner, lump attening mechanism operating on lumps located between the top and bottom paper strips, paper strip severing mechanism at the discharge end of the tabley and actuating mechanism for actuating the aforesaid mechanisms rin timed relation to each other.

5. In a patty making machine, the combination of a table having receiving and discharge ends, patty material feeding and dividing mechanism operating to deliver measured patty lumps at regularly spaced intervals upon a bottom paper strip lying on said table, means to deliver a top paper strip over patty lumps carried upon the bottom paper strip, paper strip feed .mechanism for advancing said top and bottom paper strips in a step by step manner, lump flattening mechanism operating on lumps located between the top and bottom paper strips, paper strip severing mechanism at the discharge end of the table, actuatregularly spaced intervals upon a bottom paper strip lying Von said table, means to deliver a top paper strip over patty lumps carried upon the bottom paper strip, paper strip feed mechanism for advancing said top and bottom paper strips in a step by stepl manner, lump fiattening mechanism operating on lumps located between the top and bottom paper strips, paper strip severing mechanism at the discharge end of the table, actuating mechanism for actuating the aforesaid mechanismsin timed relation to each other, a depressible elevator platform upon which the two paper strip pieces, with a patty therebetween, are delivered by said paper strip feed mechanism, and means to depress said elevator platform after each covered patty has been delivered thereon, whereby the uppermost covered patty is depressed below the level of the table.

'7. In a patty making machine, the combination of a patty material tank and feed screw therein, means to produce relative rotation therebetween, and there being a discharge opening through which material is discharged from the tank. knife means operating t'o open and close said discharge opening, actuating means for said knife means, operating to open and close the discharge opening at spaced intervals, a table, supporting a paper strip underneath said discharge opening, paper strip feed mechanism and actuating mechanism therefor operating to actuate said paperstrip feed mechanism in timed relation to the operation of the knife means.

8. In a patty making machine, the combination of a vertically reciprocable patty material tank and feed screw therein, means to produce relative rotation therebetween, and there being a discharge opening through which material is discharged from the tank, knife means operating to open and close said discharge opening, actuating means for said knife means, operating to open and close the discharge opening at spaced intervals, a table, supporting a paper strip underneath said discharge opening, said knife actuating means being timed to open the discharge opening' from the tank while the discharge opening is closely approaching the paper strip, and to close the discharge opening on the upstroke of the tank, paper strip feed mechanism, and actuating mechanism therefor operating to actuate said paper strip feed mechanism in timed relation to the operation of the knife means.

9. In a patty making machine, the combination of a patty material tank, having a circular discharge opening, means to feed material through said opening, a pair of reversely reciprocating knives guided to move across said discharge opening whereby to open and close the same, said knives having circular edges adapted to be brought into and out of register with the circular edge of the discharge opening, and means to reciprocate said knives at regularly spaced intervals.

10. In a patty making machine, the combination with patty material feeding and dividing mechanism for delivering measured patty lumps in spaced relation-on a paper strip, and a table over which the paper strir` is fed, of paper strip grippers, slidably mounted on said table and provided with jaws for gripping the paper strip, actuating means for reciprocating said paper strip grippers, and means to close the jaws upon the paper strip when the paper strip grippers are moved in a direction to feed the paper strip and to open the jaws on the return stroke thereof.

l1. In a patty making machine, the combination with patty material feeding and dividing mechanism for delivering measured patty lumps in-succession, a table, paper strip roll supporting means carrying a paper strip roll from which a paper strip is led underneath said material feeding and dividing mechanism and along the table,

and other paper strip roll supporting means carrying. a paper strip roll from which a paper strip is led above the first mentioned strip from a point beyond the material feeding and dividing mechanism, of paper strip grippers slidably mounted on said table, said grippers having jaws adapted to grip the two paper strips,'means to reciprocate said grippers, and means to close the jaws upon the paper strips during the operative strokes of the grippers and to open thejaws during the return strokes.

12. In a patty making machine, through which top and bottom paper strips travel, and between which patty lumps are received, a table supporting the paper strips, a patty attener disposed above the paper strips, a vertically reciprocating attener supporting frame, and actuating means to reciprocate said frame.

13. In a patty making machine, through which top and bottom paper strips travel, and between which patty lumps are received, a table supporting the paper strips, preliminary and final patty iiatteners disposed above the paper strips, a vertically reciprocating iiattener supporting frame, and actuating means to reciprocate said frame.

14. In a patty making machine, through which top and bottom paper strips travel, and between which patty lumps are received, a table supporting the paper strips, a patty fiattener disposed above the paper strips, a vertically reciprocating attener supporting frame, paper strip roll supporting means carried by said frame, and actuating means to reciprocate said frame.

l5. In a patty making machine, the combina- I tion of a table above which top and bottom paper strips are arranged to be fed with patties therebetween, a conveyor, paper strip feed mechanism arranged to feed the paper strips with patties between them to the conveyor in a step by step manner, and paper strip severing mechanism for severing the paper strips covering the patty on the conveyor from the remainder of tne paper strips.

16. In a patty making machine, the combination of a table above which top and bottom paper strips are arranged to be fed, a depressible elevator platform movable adjacent the end of the table, paper strip feed mechanism arranged to feed the paper stripswith patties between them to the elevator platform, paper strip severing mechanism for severing the paper strips covering the patty on the platform from the remainder oi' the strips, and means to-depress the platform, with the patty thereon, below the level of the table, whereby .paper strips with a patty therev between may be fed upon covered pattieslon the platform.

17. In a patty making machine, the combination oi' a table, patty material feeding and dividing mechanism discharging measured patty lumps, paper strip roll supporting means carrying a paper strip roll from which a lower paper strip extends under said mechanism and along the table, other paper strip roll supporting means carrying a paper strip roll disposed above the table to one side of the patty material feeding and dividing mechanism, from which a top paper strip extends along and above the lower paper strip, and paper strip mechanism for feeding the top and bottom paper strips with patties therebetween.

18. In a patty making machine, a tank having a discharge opening, means to feed material out through said discharge opening, a table adapted lto support a paper strip below said discharge opening, knife means to divide the contents of the tank into individua iumps, and means to lower the tank in close proximity to the paper strip while the knife means are uncovering the discharge opening, said means acting to raise the tank during the remainder of the time that the knife means are uncovering said discharge opening.

19. In a patty making machine, the combination of a patty material tank having a discharge opening, patty material feeding mechanism, concavo-convex knives having openings arranged to be brought into and out of register with said discharge opening, and knife actuating means.

20. In a patty making machine, the combination of a patty material tank having a discharge opening, patty material feeding mechanism, a pair of concavo-convex knives having openings adapted to be brought into and out of register with each other and with said discharge opening, said knives being mounted for rotation on an axis which is oblique to the axis of the tank and its discharge opening, andy means to'rotate said 40 knives in opposite directions.

21. In a patty making machine the combination oi' patty material feeding mechanism, dividing mechanism for dividing the material into patties, a table, roll supporting means for upper and lower paper strip rolls from which upper and lower paper strips extend along the table, paper strip feeding mechanism for'feeding thelower paper strip under said dividing mechanism and along said table, and for feeding the upper paper strip above the lower paper strip with patties therebetween, and actuating mechanism for actuating the patty material feeding, the dividing. and the paper strip feeding mechanisms in timed relation to each other.

22. In a patty making machine the combination of patty material feeding mechanism. dividing mechanism for dividing the material into patties, a table, roll supporting means i'or upper and lower paper strip rolls from which upper and 

